| |
| Id |
19642 |
| Category |
libretto |
| Author / Composer |
GAY, John (1685-1732) |
| Title |
Achilles. An Opera, As it is Perform'd at the Theatre-Royal in Covent-Garden. Written by the late Mr. Gay. With the Musick prefix'd to each Song. |
| Place |
London |
| Publisher |
Printed for J. Watts |
| Publication Date |
1733 |
| ISBN / Plate No. |
|
| Series |
|
| Size |
8vo. [vi (title, contents, prologue, dramatis personae)], 68, [iii (publisher's advertisements dated February 28, 1733)] pp. |
| Description |
Polished half hide with marbled boards, red leather label. Title and final leaf grubby and stained. Some general browning, opening lower edges grubby. First performed on 10 February 1733 at Covent Garden; the dramatis personae lists all the performers. As it had become the norm, the libretto was printed with the music inserted within the text. Of the melodies used in the fifty-four airs, some are attributed to Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713), John Frederick Lampe (1702?-1751), John Ernest Galliard (1687?-1749), Gouge, White and one to Francesco Saverio Geminiani (1687-1762), but none to Handel. The work takes the form of a farcical burlesque of classical mythology, in which Achilles, dressed as a woman, is admitted to the court of Lycomedes, Lycomedes falls in love with Achilles whilst he in turn is attempting to woo Deidamia. The confusion is eventually unravelled by Ulysses. |
| Reference |
RISM B/II p.58. BUC p.5. ESTC T1728. |
| Price |
£300.00 |
|
